Our View: With hurricanes, always be prepared

Friday marks the eighth anniversary when Hurricane Katrina formed in the waters of the Bahamas. It crossed Florida, gained strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico ? and the rest is history.

In the years since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, much has changed. Hurricane forecasting has improved, levees are stronger and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is better equipped to respond to a disaster of such magnitude.

Technology alerts us days in advance of threatening weather, leaving little doubt as to if - or when - a hurricane may hit.

There are four phrases the National Weather Service uses when forecasting tropical weather:

? A hurricane watch is an announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds."

? A hurricane warning is an announcement that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds.

? A tropical storm watch is an announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified coastal area within 48 hours.

? A tropical storm warning is an announcement that tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area within 36 hours.

While northeastern Louisiana is out of reach of the storm surge, high winds - which can spawn tornadoes - and heavy rain push north with a hurricane.

So far the hurricane season has been quiet, but we must not get comfortable with a false sense of security. One could form any time during what is now the peak season.

The best advice is to be prepared well before a hurricane is forecast. Information abounds on preparing emergency kits for a household, where shelters are and the evacuation routes.

Now, while the days are sunny, is the time to get ready for the gray storm clouds of a hurricane.

For more information on how you can be prepared, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency website at www.ready.gov; the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org and the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/safety.php.

In times of severe weather, go to thenewsstar.com for up-to-date weather information.

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Our View: With hurricanes, always be prepared

Friday marks the eighth anniversary when Hurricane Katrina formed in the waters of the Bahamas. It crossed Florida, gained strength in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico ? and the rest is history.